The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 2 eBook

Arghyas offered to them, Krishna took his seat, so
also all the kings. And Dussasana gave an excellent
seat to Satyaki, while Vivingsati gave another golden
one to Kritavarman. And not far from where Krishna
sat, that illustrious and wrathful pair, Karna and
Duryodhana, sat together on the same seat. And
Sakuni, the king of Gandhara, surrounded by the chiefs
of his country, sat there, O king, with his son beside
him. And the high-souled Vidura sat on a begemmed
seat covered with a white deer-skin that almost touched
Krishna’s seat. And all the kings in the
assembly, although they gazed at Janardana of Dasarha’s
race for a long while, were not, however, gratified
with their gaze, like drinkers of the Amrita, that
are never satiated with quaffing measure after measure.
And Janardana attired in yellow robes having the complexion
of the Atasi flower, sat in the midst of that assembly
like a sapphire mounted on gold. And after Govinda
had taken his seat, a perfect silence ensued, for
none present there spoke a single word.’”

SECTION XCV

“Vaisampayana said, ’And after all the
kings had been seated and perfect silence had ensued,
Krishna possessing fine teeth and having a voice deep
as that of the drum, began to speak. And Madhava
although he addressed Dhritarashtra, spoke in a voice
deep as the roll of clouds in the rainy season, making
the whole assembly hear. And he said, ’In
order that, O Bharata, peace may be established between
the Kurus and the Pandavas without a slaughter of
the heroes, I have come hither. Besides this,
O king, I have no other beneficial words to utter,
O chastiser of foes, everything that should be learnt
in this world is already known to thee. This
thy race, O king, owing to its learning and behaviour,
and owing also to its being adorned with every accomplishment,
is most distinguished among all royal dynasties.
Joy in the happiness of others, grief at sight of
other people’s misery, desire to alleviate distress,
abstention from injury, sincerity, forgiveness, and
truth,—­these, O Bharata, prevail amongst
the Kurus. Then thy race, therefore, O king, is
so noble, it would be a pity if anything improper were
done by any one belonging to it, and greater pity
still if it were done by thee. O chief of the
Kurus, thou art the first of those that should restrain
the Kurus if they behave deceitfully towards strangers
or those numbering with themselves. Know, O thou
of Kuru’s race, that those wicked sons of thine,
headed by Duryodhana, abandoning both virtue and profit,
disregarding morality, and deprived of their senses
by avarice, are now acting most unrighteously towards,
O bull of men, their foremost of kinsmen. That
terrible danger (which threatens all) hath its origin
in the conduct of the Kurus. If thou becomest
indifferent to it, it will then produce a universal
slaughter. If, O Bharata, thou art willing, thou
mayest be able to allay that danger even yet, for,